Sanctuary: Safe Haven

Canna stepped out of the portal and was greeted by three sanctuary shock troops, their pristine white uniforms and disciplined demeanor immediately setting them apart from the bustling town around them. They kneeled in respect, and Canna gave a slight nod, motioning for them to rise. The alleyway they were in was narrow and dimly lit, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the sanctuary, but Canna didn't mind. Timberborn was a small, humble village, and its simple charm was something he respected.

According to the shock troops' reports, Timberborn was home to about 600 to 700 people, a close-knit community that functioned much like a large family. There was a small adventurer's guild, a modest tavern, and, to his surprise, a tiny clan that called the village home. The other shock troops had already finished their reconnaissance and returned to the sanctuary, their next task to help Vorgrim with the final phase of warrior training. Now, it was just Canna, walking among the common folk in a quiet village far from the complexities of the sanctuary.

Stepping out of the alleyway, Canna immediately caught the attention of the townspeople. His white sanctuary robes, adorned with intricate gold and silver designs, shimmered in the sunlight, and more than a few curious eyes turned his way. He looked every bit the noble, even though that title was far from what he considered himself to be.

Whispers echoed around him as villagers exchanged glances, some offering smiles while others observed him from a distance. But before he could take another step, a group of children rushed toward him, their wide eyes filled with awe.

"Whoa! Mister, are you rich?" one child asked, tugging at his robe.

"Look at how shiny your clothes are!" another added, running their fingers along the intricate patterns.

"Mister, wanna play with us?" a small voice piped up, tugging harder on the fabric.

Canna chuckled at the children's innocent excitement, but their parents quickly rushed over, eyes wide with worry.

"Julius! Stop that!" a father scolded, bowing repeatedly toward Canna. "I'm so sorry, my lord. Please, spare my son."

Canna waved the man off with a warm smile. "There's no need for apologies. I'm not a noble, just an adventurer passing through." His tone was kind and sincere, putting the man's heart at ease.

The children, still fascinated by Canna, began peppering him with questions again.

"Mister! You're an adventurer?" one asked, eyes wide with excitement.

"Did you fight any monsters?" another child added eagerly.

"What's the biggest monster you've seen?" another chimed in.

Canna laughed softly at their enthusiasm. "I've faced my fair share of monsters, but I wouldn't say I'm strong," he replied modestly. "Now, could you lead me to the adventurer's guild?" Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"You bet!" they chorused, grabbing hold of his hands and tugging him along with infectious energy.

As the children led him through the village streets, their carefree laughter filled the air, and the townspeople's initial caution melted away. There was something about Canna that put them at ease, even if they couldn't quite place it. After a few minutes of being pulled along, they finally arrived at the entrance of the adventurer's guild.

But just as Canna was about to step inside, something caught his eye—a small boy sitting off to the side, slumped against the wall with a stack of newspapers by his side. His clothes were tattered, and his face was partially hidden beneath messy hair. The boy looked weary, his head bowed low as if sleep threatened to take him.

The children noticed Canna's gaze. "Oh, that's Gil," one of them explained. "He doesn't play with us much. He's probably sleeping again."

"I bet he is!" another giggled.

But before they could run over to surprise him, Canna held up his hand. "Don't," he said gently. The children stopped in their tracks, watching curiously as Canna approached the boy.

As Canna drew closer, the boy stirred, his small body trembling slightly. Sensing someone nearby, Gil quickly shot up, eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and determination.

"Hello, stranger! You look new here! Want to buy a newspaper? It's cheap!" Gil's voice was filled with forced enthusiasm, but his dark, tired eyes told a different story. His stomach let out a quiet rumble, betraying his hunger.

Canna crouched down to meet the boy's gaze. "How much for a newspaper?"

"Only three copper coins!" Gil replied with a hopeful grin.

Canna smiled, amused by the boy's hustle. "Is that right?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

Gil's gaze drifted over Canna's robes, clearly recognizing the finery of the fabric. "Oh! I mean—uh—sorry, my distinguished customer! It's actually six copper coins," he corrected himself with a sheepish grin, trying to bow with exaggerated grace.

Canna chuckled, impressed by the boy's quick thinking. "Nice try." He tossed a gold coin into Gil's small hands.

For a moment, Gil just stared at the coin in disbelief, his eyes wide and unblinking. The gleaming gold felt impossibly heavy in his hands.

"T-Thank you, mister!" Gil's voice wavered, his fingers trembling as he clutched the coin. He wiped at his eyes, trying to hide the tears that began to pool. "I... I can finally... finally buy the weapon I need."

Canna's heart softened at the sight. "A weapon?" he asked gently, his curiosity piqued. "Why do you need a weapon, Gil?"

Gil's small body trembled as he tried to hold back his emotions, but the dam finally broke. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he clung to Canna's robes, the weight of his struggles pouring out with each sob.

"I need it... I need it to protect my family," Gil whispered, his voice raw with desperation. "I... I don't want to lose them."

Canna placed a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder, understanding washing over him. There was a story behind those tired eyes, a story of hardship and loss, and Canna felt a deep sense of responsibility settle in his chest.

"Don't worry, Gil," Canna said softly, his voice filled with quiet strength. "You won't have to do it alone."

Gil looked up at Canna, his tear-streaked face filled with a mix of hope and gratitude. For the first time in a long while, the boy felt like he wasn't alone.

With a final nod of thanks, Gil ran off, clutching the gold coin tightly in his small hands, determined to fulfill his goal. Canna watched him go, his mind already racing with thoughts of how he could help.

As he stood there, watching the child disappear into the streets, Canna couldn't help but feel that this village, Timberborn, held more secrets and stories than he had initially thought. But that was for another day.

For now, he turned toward the adventurer's guild, his curiosity piqued, and prepared to step inside. This village had more to offer than met the eye, and Canna was just beginning to uncover its hidden truths.